REG Clarke, the former Mayor of Swindon who used his experiences of Dunkirk to build peaceful links with Germany, has died aged 87.

Tributes have been paid to the man known as the Father of Pinehurst, who passed away yesterday after a spell at Great Western Hospital.

Pinehurst Labour councillor Maurice Fanning said: "He was the longest serving tenant that the borough has ever known, and was a part of the Labour Party for 80 years.

"He took over the tenancy from his parents and remained the heart and soul of the area throughout his life."

Mr Clarke, who was Mayor of Thamesdown from 1980-81, was among 30,000 soldiers evacuated at Dunkirk and was stationed in Germany at the end of the war.

The devastation and suffering he saw there prompted him to work for twinning for the rest of his life.

Coun Peter Mallinson (Con, Walcot) said: "He devoted most of his life to improving links with Germany.

"In 1975 he signed the agreement with Salzgitter to twin the towns, and he made numerous visits there.

"I worked with him for years on the twinning and he lived and breathed it."

Coun Fanning said: "He was extremely brave in offering the hand of friendship to the German people."

In 2005 Mr Clarke, who had no surviving family, was rewarded for 30 years' service with the Swindon-Salzgitter Twinning Association.

He became only the second UK citizen to receive a German Embassy Award.

Coun Mallinson said: "I used to travel to the German embassy with him and the ambassador would actually say, Hi Reg'."

A few years ago he was given the Stadtmedallion or town medal' from officials in Salzgitter.

Mr Clarke immediately dedicated it to his home town.

Speaking at the time he said: "I am extremely proud to get this award but I do feel that it was awarded to the people of Swindon too."

Apart from his efforts with twinning Mr Clarke worked for Great Western Railway and was a staunch Labour councillor.

Coun Fanning said: "Reg was a conduit for everything that was happening in Pinehurst.

"Up until a few months ago I would get a call from him saying that residents weren't happy about this or that, and it would spur us into action."

Mr Clarke was married to Mary, who died during a trip to Salzgitter in 1991.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills paid tribute to a man who aided his own career.

He said: "I'm desperately sorry to hear this sad news.

"Reg Clarke was a wonderful man and I'm proud that he was my friend. He taught me a great deal.

"He was a wonderful servant of this town. He was proud of it and over many years he made a huge contribution."

A spokeswoman for the German Embassy said: "Reg Clarke worked devotedly to promote and foster the twinning link between Swindon and Salzgitter.

"He dedicated a great part of his life's work to bringing together Germans and Britons in the spirit of friendship and common humanity."